This is what happens after finishing the Darren Shan Saga! :3 I may add more, depending on muse.

Characters©Darren Shan || Writing©SherlockedMelon

Have you ever experienced the feeling of deep dread? Ever accepted a cruel twist in fate even before it has happened? Well today was such a day for these sensations. In eerie and darkened streets we ran in pursuit. Pursuit of whom was beyond our knowledge, which only made my fear escalate. I was young – fourteen in fact – and had little knowledge of our blood brothers. Days ago, I only knew their label. The Vampaneze. Earlier today, however, Mr Crepsley had taught me more about them; he had sat me down with serious features and he had spoken in an unusually soft voice. I felt awkward at that point in time, for never had I seen Mr Crepsley so gentle beforehand. It was as if he knew something he wasn't telling me.

During our talk, Mr Crepsley had told me everything that I needed to know about them. Initially I was horrified – they sounded a cruel version of the vampire, and they seemed to me like a species lacking morals. However, a further explanation from Mr Crepsley set me straight. By taking the life of the human they were drinking from, they saved a part of their soul. This, to them, was much kinder than leaving scars on their body without an explanation, as was the vampire way.

That's as far as my knowledge went. Mr Crepsley had no time to explain anything else to me, for we rushed from the Cirque Du Freak to this shabby town. News had broken of four deaths within only a week. With obvious bite marks, (and not to the neck like would be expected) they were found drained of most of their blood. To humans, it was the work of a twisted killer. To us, however, it was the work of a vampaneze.

"Which way now?" I panted, my eyes darting left to right. I halted as I said this, the soles of my shoes grinding against the damp pavement. At this, Larten stopped a little ahead of me, and his sharp eyes locked upon my features eagerly.

"Well, which way did he go?" he enquired sarcastically, his eyebrows rising as he mocked my question.

"I don't…" I was cut short by movement. I'd spotted him again, the cape he wore flapping against the wind. "There!" I shouted. Giving him no time in which to react with words, I shot off after him, determined now more than ever to catch him. Mr Crepsely followed reluctantly. I think he was unsure that I had actually seen him, but he was forced to follow me regardless of what he thought.

"Darren…" huffed the full vampire once he had reached my side. I had forgotten that he was faster than me.

"Are you… sure it was… him?" stammered he, his eyes looking into mine with both fatigue and seriousness. What a doubting question that was! Irritated, I spat back at him; "Yes! Who goes around… wearing a cape nowadays?"

His smug smile had been turned upside down by my remark. Half smiling, I quickened my pace, certain of what we were tracking. A sigh shifted from Mr Crepsley's system – an obvious sign of displeasure in the way I had acted to him. Tough luck. I wasn't about to spare him some irritation if human lives were at stake.

With this now fresh in my mind, I surged my wary limbs onwards. The vampire at my side seemed to be coping fine, despite the staggered rasping for breath. It didn't seem to affect his movement, however, and so he was soon overtaking me. I'd forgotten that he held more stamina than me, and foolishly so, for the angered Crepsley turned suddenly and caught me as I ran into him, unaware of his dramatic stop before I could do anything about it. Grasping my shoulders, he rattled my frame back and forth ferociously.

"What the hell were you doing?" he bellowed, his vocals strained as his eyes widened through anger.

"Saving everyone here, they…" I tried to justify my actions, but before I could finish the vampire set his palm across my face and slapped me – hard!

"You can not save everyone if you're dead, Darren!" he shouted in the same, vicious tone as before.

"See some sense, boy!" This time, his tone was not as harsh. He had seemed to calm down slightly, perhaps in realisation of his short temper and the impacts it had on me. Never had I seen him quite like this, and I am guessing that it showed on my face judging from the vampire's reaction.

"I am sorry, Darren, but you need learn."

At this I glared at him; hatred fuelling my stare. Flashbacks of that cruel night stirred within me, as if determined to make me despise Mr Crepsley once more. I fought the urges to lash out and him, but instead of taming my words, I spat venomous syllables at him.

"You're the one who dragged me into this whole, dammed mess! You and your petty bargaining with life! You're the one who blooded me as a young, innocent child and tore me away from any form of humanity." It seemed I had gone a bit too far, for the vampire's features were now contorted with rage.

"Don not bring up the past, Darren, it makes no difference to us now. You need to learn the ways of vampires, and I am allowing you to do so. If you don't want my guidance, fine. I will leave you to it…" as he said this, the vampire strode away, his red cloak flapping behind him.

I was certain he wasn't actually going to walk away, but still I did something to stop him – something to show him that he was right, and I was wrong. Although I still didn't think so, I wasn't exactly presented with a choice.

"Sorry, Mr Crepsley, I didn't mean to say such things. You're right." My words were simple but meaningful. As I stood, witnessing the departure of my guardian, I clenched my fists to combat my remaining hatred for the vampire. He took a few more steps before turning one-hundred-and-eighty degrees to face me. A smile upon his face took me by surprise.

"It is fine, boy. Now let us cut to the chase!"

"What chase? Because of you I no longer know where he went." I sighed, making sure not to raise my vocals. Larten's smile broadened (and annoyingly so) for it seemed that he knew much more than he was letting on. I held my breath, anxious to find out what he was hiding.